Overview
The LTE (Long Term Evolution) protocol standard was developed as an enhancement to existing Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS) to provide users enhanced mobile Internet access. The evolved Universal Mobile
Telecommunications Service (UMTS) terrestrial Radio Access Network (RAN), abbreviated as E-UTRAN, is also known
as LTE.
Although an evolution of UMTS (UMTS uses wideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA) for transmitting signals),
the LTE air interface is a completely new system based on orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) in the
downlink and single-carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) (DFTS-FDMA) in the uplink that efficiently
supports multi-antenna technologies (MIMO). This robust feature is useful when handling the varying propagation
conditions seen in mobile radio. In MIMO techniques, either multiple antennas can transmit the same data stream to
improve data-transmission reliability or different antennas can transmit different data streams simultaneously to increase
throughput.
Another significant feature of LTE is its high bandwidth—up to 20 MHz. Because the usable bandwidth is scalable,
LTE can also operate in the existing 5-MHz UMTS frequency bands, or in even smaller bands.
Network Architecture
LTE standard is progressing as a part of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The Evolved Packet System
(EPS) standardized by 3GPP is divided into a radio access network known as the E-UTRAN and a core network known
as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The E-UTRAN consists of eNodeBs, which provide the radio interface toward the user
equipment. The eNodeBs are interconnected with each other via the IP-based X2 interface and toward the Evolved
Packet Core (EPC) via the IP-based S1 interfaces. This is depicted in the above figure.
GL's LTE analyzer is capable of capturing, decoding and performing various test measurements across various
interfaces i.e. S1, S3, S4, S5 (or S8), S6a, S10, S11, S13 and X2 interfaces of the LTE network.
GL Communications supports both Real-time and Offline types of LTE Analyzer. Required pre-requisites are -
Hardware Dongles and Windows® 2000/XP/Vista Operating System.
Main Features
- Displays summary, detail, hex-dump, summary and statistics views.
- Detail View displays decodes of a user-selected frame from the Summary View.
- Statistics View displays statistics based on frame count, byte count, frames/sec, bytes/sec etc for the entire
captured data.
- Hex dump View displays raw data as a hexadecimal and ASCII octet dump.
- Search and filtering capabilities.
- Exports Summary View information to a comma delimited file for subsequent import into a database or spreadsheet.
- Capability to export detailed decode information to an ASCII file.
- Remote monitoring capability using GL's Network Surveillance System.
Additional features supported by Offline LTE Analyzer
- Trace files for analysis can be loaded through simple command-line arguments.
- Multiple trace files can be loaded simultaneously with different GUI instances for offline analysis.
Screenshot of LTE Analyzer
Supported Interfaces & Protocols:
GL's LTE analyzer is capable of capturing and decoding various interfaces i.e. S1, S3, S4, S5 (or S8), S6a, S10, S11,
S13 and X2 interfaces of the LTE network. The protocols supported for decoding across all these interfaces are NAS,
S1AP, X2AP, eGTP, Diameter, SCTP, UDP, TCP, IP.
- S1 Interface
S1-U - Reference point between E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user plane tunneling and inter
eNodeB path switching during handover.
S1-MME - Reference point for the control plane protocol between E-UTRAN and Mobility Management Entity (MME).
The MME is responsible for authentication and critical management for mobile devices.
- S3 Interface
It enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network mobility in idle and/or active
state.
- S4 Interface
It provides related control and mobility support between GPRS Core and the 3GPP Anchor function of Serving GW.
In addition, if Direct Tunnel is not established, it provides the user plane tunnelling.
- S5 Interface
It provides user plane tunnelling and tunnel management between Serving GW and PDN GW. It is used for Serving
GW relocation due to UE mobility and if the Serving GW needs to connect to a non-collocated PDN GW for the required
PDN connectivity.
- S8 Interface
Inter-PLMN reference point providing user and control plane between the Serving GW in the VPLMN and the PDN
GW in the HPLMN. S8 is the inter PLMN variant of S5.
- S10 Interface
Reference point between MMEs for MME relocation and MME to MME information transfer.
- S11 Interface
Reference point between MME and Serving GW
- S6a Interface
It enables transfer of subscription and authentication data for authenticating/authorizing user access to the
evolved system (AAA interface) between MME and HSS.
- S13 Interface
It enables UE identity check procedure between MME and EIR.
- X2 Interface
Interface between eNodeBs supports load management and handover coordination between eNodeBs.
Network-wide Monitoring & Troubleshooting of LTE Networks
GL's Network Monitoring System (NMS) with LTE Analyzer provides a complete tool set to
monitor LTE networks. The system provides scalable, centralized, real time, end-to-end network visibility and
trouble-shooting capability for operators deploying LTE networks.
For more details on GL's Network Monitoring System (NMS), click here.
Screenshots
Bridge and Monitor Connections
Buyer's Guide:
Please Note: The XX in the Item No. refers to the hardware platform, listed at the bottom of the Buyer's
Guide, which the software will be running on. Therefore, XX can either be HUT, HUE, UTA or UEA depending upon the
hardware.
Back to Protocol Analysis Index Page
![Summary, Detail and Hexdump View](javascript:myOpen("images/lteanalyzer_image7.gif")){kind=link}
![Setting the Filtering & Search Criteria](javascript:myOpen("images/lteanalyzer_image8.gif")){kind=link}
![Enhanced Trace Saving Options](javascript:myOpen("images/lteanalyzer_image9.gif")){kind=link}
![Save/Load All Configuration Settings](javascript:myOpen("images/lteanalyzer_image10.gif")){kind=link}
![Monitor from a DSX-Patch Panel](javascript:myOpen("images/faq_figure3.gif")){kind=link}
![Bridge Mode Connections for Monitoring T1/E1 Signals for RJ-45](javascript:myOpen("images/faq_figure4.gif")){kind=link}
![Bridge Mode Connections Alternative Method](javascript:myOpen("images/faq_figure5.gif")){kind=link}
![RJ-45 Connections](javascript:myOpen("images/faq_figure7.gif")){kind=link}
